Mata Mata Border Crossing

[gertvzyl]

Hi,

I'm planning on crossing from SA to Nam via Mata Mata, Kgalagadi end of June. Problem is that there is no camping available in Kgalagadi and will have to stay outside the park - to do a drive through the park to cross on the same day at Mata Mata.

Is this allowed? Are the officials strict on the at least 2 nights stay in the park before crossing the border? Anyone crossed lately with some insight to the topic to give some pointers?

Thank you in advance

[lekhubu943]

Afraid it is not allowed, you have to stay 2 days in the park.

From Sanparks website:

Tourists wanting to exit the park other than the point of entry must kindly note that all immigration controls must be done at Twee Rivieren / Two Rivers and a minimum of two nights stay in the South African side of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is required to be allowed to pass through the Mata Mata border post to and from Namibia or when entering or exiting the Park to or from Botswana.

So it seems it must the SA side.

[gertvzyl]

Thank you lekhubu943. Seems Sanparks looking for revenue with the min 2 nights. 1 night still fair but 2 nights...

[lekhubu943]

Not sure it is about revenue, but more to limit unnecessary traffic through the park. One night could do, but I guess some will still rush back and forth.

[Williepiet]

If a tourist exit RSA at any borderpost but Twee Rivieren into Botswana not using Two Rivers, enters the Park at Mabua (Spend 2 nights on Botswana side) exit Botswana at Two Rivers and enter Nambia at MataMata. Wil the police post RSA side at MataMata pick it up that you did not spend two nights on RSA side in the Park?

I think Sanparks are trying their luck on their website.

Officials of all countries are very strict on applying the 2 day rule. We were ordered by Namibia customs to walk to MataMata to book 2 nights before we were allowed to exit Namibia.

[Stranger]

Well you would think that common sense would prevail. KTP is a trans frontier park, if you spent 2 nights "in the park" I think that you would have a valid argument that you were not using the park purely for transit.

Then again common sense is not so common any more.

[gertvzyl]

Thank you guys - will do a visit to the park as day visitor and cross via Rietfontein. Won't have plenty time in the park which is unfortunate